The Fiji Islands are an unspoiled tropical paradise located roughly 2000 kilometres north east of North Island in New Zealand. This South Pacific country is actually made up of a chain of 332 islands, but only around 100 of these are inhabited. The islands were formed over 150 million years ago as a result of volcanic activity, some of which continues today on the islands of Taveuni and Vanua Levu. Aside from active volcanoes, Fiji offers a multitude of thrilling experiences such as giant zip-lines, parasailing, mountain climbing and rainforest trails.

Fiji’s landscape is rather rugged but undeniably beautiful, with sandy beaches complete with palm trees, blue lagoons and a peaceful island holiday vibe that is sure to relax even the most uptight of travellers.

Since the country is surrounded by the magnificent, crystal clear waters of the South Pacific, water sports play a major part in any visit to Fiji and options include jet ski safaris, surfing, white water rafting, shark diving and scuba diving at some of the best dive sites on earth. Fiji boasts over 4000 square miles of unspoiled coral reef, giving divers the chance to experience marine biodiversity like nowhere else.

Dive Map of Fiji

Best Diving Destinations in Fiji

Fiji dive sites are particularly well-known for supporting large quantities of colourful soft corals. In fact, several hundred different types of corals and sponges have been recorded. While these are certainly a highlight in their own right, Fiji also boasts many hard coral formations that make for an interesting underwater landscape. Divers looking for an adrenalin-packed experience need to look no further than drift diving experiences in Fiji. There are also steep vertical walls, wrecks, exciting swim-throughs and long, sloping reefs to be explored.

In terms of marine life, divers are unlikely to be disappointed as the waters of Fiji are home to over 1000 fish species both large and small. Highlights include eagle rays, turtles, sharks and massive numbers of colourful and exotic reef fish as well as various nudibranch species.

Vanua Levu and Lavenuni Islands, the northern areas, offer extremely high-quality drift dives. The Somosoma straights with Rainbow reef that runs straight across them provide very fast and exciting drift dives where you can see just about everything that swims in the fish food chain plus dramatic spreads of corals. Visibility is typically about 90 feet and large pelagics are very commonly seen.

The Western Areas

Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands, the western areas, are on the leeward side of Viti Levu. This protection gives rise to coral gardens, caves, swim throughs, arches, and walls. Masses of marine life, including tropical reef, turtles, dolphins, manta rays, and lots of sharks love this area. If you are really lucky you may even see a whale shark.

Dive Map of Mamanuca, Yasawa Islands and Malolo

Many divers choose to start their diving adventure on the largest island of Vitu Levu, and for good reason. Many of Fiji’s most popular dive sites are located just off the shores of Vitu Levu and a major highlight for many is the shark diving opportunities that abound in the area. Departing from Pacific Harbour, divers should be prepared to encounter as many as 8 intimidating shark species on this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Underwater photographers are likely to take away fantastic images of white tip reef sharks, hammerheads, bull sharks, black tip reef sharks, grey reef sharks and silvertip sharks.

The Northern Areas

Vanua Levu and Lavenuni Islands, the northern areas, offer extremely high-quality drift dives. The Somosoma straights with Rainbow reef that runs straight across them provide very fast and exciting drift dives where you can see just about everything that swims in the fish food chain plus dramatic spreads of corals. Visibility is typically about 90 feet and large pelagics are very commonly seen.

Somosomo Strait is a channel that stretches between the major islands of Vanua Levu and Taveuni and thanks to tidal currents in the area is the perfect location to see many of the soft coral species that Fiji is famous for. Rainbow Reef is a wall dive that is not to be missed in this area as it guarantees sightings of large numbers of pelagic fish. Another wall dive to include on your diving itinerary is the Great White Wall, appropriately named due to the beautiful white soft corals that completely cover the wall.

For both hard and soft corals, diver should visit the secluded barrier reef within Namena Marine Park and if you’re looking for manta rays in their masses, Great Astrolable reef off Kadavu is the place to visit. Also nearby Kadavu is a site known as the Crazy Maze which offers around 11 fantastic swim-throughs and great coral formations. Sea turtles and barracuda can also be seen here at Namalata Reef.

Located right in the middle of nutrient-rich waters between Vanua Levu and Viti Levu is an oddly-named pinnacle known as E-6. Soft corals and large sea fans thrive on the protected side of the pinnacle whilst major pelagic fish enjoy the strong currents on the other sides. Divers should not miss the Cathedral swim-through on this dive which is exceptionally beautiful.

The Southern Areas

Vatulele, Kadavu, Beqa and Yanuca Islands, the southern areas, provide two unique pinnacles to dive on, located between the islands of Beqa and Yanuca. These pinnacles are nicknamed Ceasers and ET and are a great spot for both divers and snorkelers. Also of interest is the wreck of a 200 tons Taiwanese trawler and aquarium no1 and no2, which are small blue holes that plunge some 130 feet into the reef. Further south is Kadavu that has sheer wall diving which is very popular with divers and sharks. Typical marine life includes Tiera Bat Fish, Maori Wrasse, Yellow Fin Tuna, Wahoo and if you venture a bit deeper you may see Humpback whales, Hammerhead sharks, and White Marlin.

Near to Beqa Lagoon is a site known as Ceasar’s Rocks which is popular with those divers who enjoy exploring a good tunnel and swim-through. Macro divers can also be entertained thanks to a wide variety of blennies and nudibranchs at this site and a large number of nooks and crannies to explore.

The Eastern areas

Lomaiviti Islands, or the eastern areas, are considered to be the best that Fiji has to offer. This area is more remote and is accessible on a liveaboard. You can experience the ultimate drift dive, a 3 or 4-knot ride at Nigali Pass where you can see giant groupers 100 – 200 pounds each, sea snakes, and platoons of patrolling sharks. Also typical to the area are schools of Jacks, Barracuda, Cornet fish, and the occasional Scalloped Hammerhead.

Dive Map of Qamea

When to Visit Fiji

Diving is popular all throughout the year in Fiji and is particularly popular from April to October. Although these are technically the winter months, visibility is at its highest in July and also December and can sometimes extend beyond 50 metres. Needless to say that kind of visibility is an absolute delight, especially for underwater photographers. Water temperatures are still fairly warm and remain in the range of 24-27°C, whilst winds can increase in strength during these months.

Fiji’s rainy season runs from December to March and these are also the summer months which bring with them increased chance of cyclone action. The water temperature will rise to around 30°C in some areas, making a shortie or 3mm wetsuit more than sufficient when diving. Although visibility is slightly reduced from the impeccable visibility of the winter months, this should not deter divers looking to experience a magnificent Fijian summer. Fiji also experiences a few cross-over months where the seasons are transitioning, and many visitors choose these months – April, May and November – to visit.

Hello,
We are planning at trip in Fiji for 2 between April 15 to May 8 2018. I saw that you do maintenance that time of year. Will you be open and do you have availability? We are also divers. In addition to the two-tank boat dives, do you have unguided shore diving available? Please let me know.

Hello!
I have longed to visit Fiji for over 15 years and I’m hoping that soon I can make the trip a reality! Have you any availability for November/December 2017, excluding the Christmas/New Year range?
Thank you!

My fiancee and I are looking to book a stay at your resort for our honeymoon. We would be arriving on Saturday, December 23rd, and departing on Wednesday December 27th. Your resort comes highly recommended from a friend, and we look forward to the possibility of staying.

We were wondering if you have a date for re-opening? We are moving to Fiji soon for my husbands job, and wanted to have our honeymoon on the Island in December. Please let me know if you are opening any time soon. Thanks, Helena

Hello,
I will be arriving in Taveuni in the beginning of October and wanted to know the prices for diving with you? Where are you located and where do you go out from?
Do you dive the great white wall?
As well as any other information you can provide regarding diving..
Thank you,
Noa

I have already contacted you with a general enquiry. I have now confirmed my stay at Bedarra Beach Inn from Jan 15th to 21st. I would like to book a 6 dive package for just me (couldn’t interest my wife!) Looking forward to hearing from you/diving with you soon! Many thanks.

We are staying in Maui bay and would like to do a one tank dive tomorrow morning (Monday, November 13). We are both certified and our last dive was yesterday in Bela. Please let me know if this is possible and what the prices are. Also where do your boats leave from and how long is the boat ride to the dive site.

Hello,
My Name is Galia and I’m looking for a place for a DMT program starting this coming August.

I’ll be around Fiji and Tonga this coming July (I booked a 9 days trip in Tonga that’s leaving on July 21st), and I’m interested in staying in the area to do the Divermaster course and work as a Divemaster starting right after the trip (July 31st).

I am a 29 years old rescue diver (Padi Open Water and Advance certification and a Master Diver certification through SSI -including a rescue diver certification) with over 400 dives in different places in the world (including Mexico, Socorro, Maldives, Cuba – gardens of the queen, Egypt, Israel and more).

I’m originally from Israel and right now I’m working as a teacher in New York (this is my 4th year here) and in my past I was a tour guide that worked with people with special needs in Israel. I’m great with people and I love, adore and respect the ocean. I’m also a competent and calm diver. I think that those qualities will make me a good Dive Master.

Hi,
Myself and my fiancé are thinking of spending the last week in December 2018 and first week in January in Fiji with a week stay. We would like to dive every day we’re there.
Can you please let me know if any rooms available during that time period? Thank you, Stephanie

I am a French multi-lingual PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, 3-Star CMAS and also FFESSM Dive Leader, teaching for 5 years in 6 countries across South-East Asia and Central America, of which more than 2 years were in the Maldives.
I am most recently a DCM with Euro-Divers Amari Havodda (Maldives).

I take immense pride and satisfaction when our divers improve their skills and knowledge, and when they express their appreciation or develop a love for diving.
My goal is to make their day. This is the reason I do this job. Diving is more than work, it is my passion, diving is the life I choose to live.

During my instructor training and diving activities, I have developed skills such as the ability to lead a course with a high level of professionalism, keeping in mind customer satisfaction, as well as ensuring safety and protection of the environment.
I also feel confident teaching in foreign languages, as I have a long international professional background of around 10 years.

I am fluent in French, Spanish and English. I have lived and worked in France, Spain, England, Thailand, Greece, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, the Maldives and Singapore.

All the training I have received, from Open Water to MSDT, was at 5-star Career Development Centre Crystal Dive Resort, in Koh Tao, Thailand, by Course Directors only (Matt Bolton, Kenji Takahashi and Justin Mayers) in 2010 and 2011.
This quality teaching is a guarantee of my high professionalism.
Platinum Course Director Justin Mayers can be contacted to support my job application.

Thereafter, I worked as a Divemaster at Crystal Dive Resort in Koh Tao in 2010 and 2011, leading four to five dives a day for five months and then when I became an instructor too.

Following my Crystal Dive Resort experience, I moved to Crete at Creta Maris, Greece, for a very short stint during summer 2011.

Following that, I worked in Koh Phi-Phi, Thailand, a very busy diving island, at Scool Divers and then at Princess Divers, for 10 months. As there were many dive centres around creating high competition on a very small island, I improved my sales technique during my time there.

In September 2013, my 3-month work in Panama at The Dutch Pirate, in the Bocas Del Toro archipelago, involved a two-person team. Together with my workmate, we were responsible for all the courses, fun dives, planning and all necessary logistics to run the dive centre.

After that, I worked at Summer Salt Dive Center in Playas del Coco, Costa Rica, for a short but very busy period during the Christmas and New Year period.

In 2014 in Roatan, Honduras for 6 months at Tropical Island Divers, the dive center of the Marble Hill Farms, an eco resort, my work consisted of managing all watersports activities as I was the only dive professional on-site.

Immediately after my Central America experience, I worked in the Maldives for 1.5 years in a 5-star resort, the Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru. There I managed both diving and watersports activities, and also trained guests to be environmentally-conscious and eco-friendly.

In January last year, I joined Euro-Divers Maldives first as an instructor in Eriyadu for a month and thereafter as a Dive and Watersports Center Manager in Amari Havodda, a 5-star resort.
I was in charge of both Watersport and Diving operations and managing a Team of 14 staff. My responsibilities also included teaching and selling PADI programs, guiding, co-working with the resort to increase guest occupancy and revenue, accounting, billing, equipment purchase/logistics, monthly report, staff training.
Moreover I hosted Tour Operators, journalists and Underwater photographers/videographers.
I was also the administrator of the dive center’s Facebook page.
Euro-Divers’ Regional Manager can be contacted to support my job application.

What can I bring?

I have a passion for diving and a real enthusiasm for excellent customer service and underwater environment conservation. I am a responsible and dedicated person.

As an individual, this is what I stand for:
– A professional
– Respect PADI standards
– Safety is my priority
– Protection of the environment
– Discipline
– Being fair

I also have a very keen interest in the following which I love to share with my guests and students:
– Marine life knowledge
– Underwater Photography/Videography

Combined with my previous hospitality work experience in bars, catering and 5* hotel business industry for 3 years in Madrid, Spain, plus 24 months in three 5-star resorts in the Maldives, you can count on my extremely high level of professionalism giving the highest priority to customer and diver safety.

I went back to France in June 2012 and worked as a basketball coach for a season for men and juvenile teams. I possess strong team experience and know how to work together to achieve the same goal.

In August 2013, I passed medical, physical and diving tests to enter the National Institut of Professional Diving (I.N.P.P.) in Marseille, France, to become a commercial diver. In the end, I decided not to pursue the course as I wanted to continue recreational diving and teaching.

I will bring with me all my enthusiasm, my energy and my experience into your team.

I am happy to furnish contact details for your reference checks, as needed, when we are further along in the interview process.

I am a non-smoker, and have no tattoos nor piercings.
I have my own equipment, DAN pro insurance and PADI renewal.

I can be in Fiji anytime you need me from february onwards.

If you have a role that matches my profile, please contact me by e-mail at [email protected].

Hi! I was wondering if I could please get some more information about the divemaster program? I’m from South Africa and I recently visited Fiji and did some dives out there. I would love to come back for my divemaster course, so I’m trying to find the right company. I’d like to know what the costs are, inclusions, requirements etc.

I’d like to spend about 3 months from Feb/March – June, if possible? I’m very flexible so I would also consider a shorter placement.

Hoping for an internship-style, because I want to gain as much experience as possible.

Hi there. We will be coming to fiji in the end of March and are looking to do some diving while there. I read on a review somewhere that you had an awesome shark dive, but not sure I saw it listed on your site. Can you confirm if you do have a shark dive and if so, what dive site it might be in? Thanks

Hi,
Me and my wife are coming to Fiji between the 16th and 22nd May. Would you be able to accommodate us to complete our PADI Advance Open Water? We have our Open water and have between 10 and 15 logged dives each.
Thanks and look forward to hearing from you,
Alex

Hello,
Can you please email me the consent forms for scuba diving from Fiji Hideaway? We’re staying there for a week in September but I am bringing two children with me and I am not their legal guardians. I will need their legal guardian to sign the form in advance before we leave Australia. Please send through your insurance information too as they need that as well.
Thanks!
Nikki

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Diving in Fiji

“ Fiji is a top diving destination with over 330 tropical islands. Named the Soft Coral Capital of the World by the world-famous Jacques Cousteau, Fiji is hugely popular with divers looking to explore these wonderful waters. ”